Students at the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences in Jalingo have been gripped by fear and anxiety following a series of attacks, including the alleged rape of a female student by hoodlums who broke into a student hostel. The female hostel, located off campus, has exposed students to attacks and abuse. The latest incident triggered a peaceful protest by students demanding urgent government intervention.
The protesting students carried placards with inscriptions such as “She Must Go” and “Dugule Must Go!”, calling for the removal of the Provost of the Nursing College, Dr Dorcas Dugule. They also barricaded the main entrance to the college, expressing frustration over persistent insecurity and what they described as a poor response to their safety concerns.
According to the students, the latest attack involved hoodlums invading a female student’s residence, allegedly raping the victim. Students also reported repeated invasions of their residences, resulting in the theft of valuables such as mobile phones, money, laptops, and other items. These incidents have transformed the learning environment into a source of fear, particularly for students who move around at night for academic activities.
The students claimed the latest attack was the fourth major security incident involving students at the institution, with burglaries in student residences becoming increasingly frequent. This has renewed calls for the immediate opening of the newly constructed hostel facilities on the college premises, which are about 95 per cent complete but yet to be commissioned.
Many students, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said living in private residences off campus exposed them to attacks, particularly those returning from night shifts or leaving for clinical training. They expressed a desire to move into the college’s hostels, even before their full completion, if it would guarantee greater security.
A student source alleged that criminals were exploiting night-time security operations in student-dominated areas to attack them. Security operatives frequently conduct night raids in these areas, searching for suspected internet fraudsters, causing students to remain indoors and making them vulnerable to criminals who take advantage of the situation to gain access to student residences.
The students reported being robbed in two separate incidents on Sunday night, at about 2am and 4am. The situation has highlighted the need for improved security measures and the urgent need for the government to address the students' concerns and ensure a safe learning environment.
Key points
- Students demand the removal of the Provost of the Nursing College, Dr Dorcas Dugule.
- The students are calling for the immediate opening of the newly constructed hostel facilities on the college premises.
- The attacks have transformed the learning environment into a source of fear for the students.
